Chapter 2
Amber
We spent an entire day and half of the next preparing the venue for the party. Mrs. Nala informed me that there would be over six hundred guests, including our group and the neighbors with whom we had signed a peace treaty. Once the work was completed, Mrs. Nala sent me home to rest for a few hours. I was to return to the chief's house at dusk, as the party would not start until nine o'clock.
Back home, I saw my stepmother walking naked in the room. I said "halt" out loud to get her attention. "You know, these rooms are designed for our privacy. You shouldn't walk around naked in the house." I turned my back, waiting for her to get dressed.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that," she replied calmly. "I didn't expect you so soon. I just got back from patrolling the southern area of the village." My stepmother was a scout with a keen sense of smell. Sometimes, the alpha tasked her with patrolling to spot renegades who had recently crossed the border.
I rolled my eyes and went straight to my room, where I lay on the bed. I tried to sleep but couldn't, so I got up and went downstairs to prepare dinner. On the way down, I noticed I was alone in the house; Mathilde was absent. I simply shrugged.
It suited me better. I went to the kitchen to make pasta, then settled in front of the TV to find a movie to watch.
My cell phone rang. Seeing the screen, I smiled, realizing it was my friend.
"Hi, Em," I answered while scrolling through the list of available movies on TV.
"How did the preparations for the big party go?" she asked.
"So far, it's very exhausting. This place is huge. I thought we'd never finish decorating." As I spoke, I took a bite of pasta.
"Ugh, I can imagine. What time does it start?" she asked.
"I have to be there around five thirty. The event starts at eight."
"Do you know what time you'll leave?"
"No, not really, but I'm sure it won't be before midnight."
"What a drag. I'll have to wish you a happy birthday tomorrow."
"Yes, they asked me to leave my phone at home, so I won't be able to read messages until I get back here."
Emmie groaned.
"Yes, it's really frustrating."
I couldn't help but laugh.
We spent the rest of the afternoon talking and laughing. Time flew by without me realizing it.
A few hours later, I went to the chief's house. I presented myself at the door, then headed to the staff quarters to put on my official uniform.
The outfit included a long-sleeved white shirt, a red bow tie, high-waisted black pants, and black heeled shoes.
Once dressed, we, the servants, gathered in the gala room, where the lights were off. Each of us grabbed a...
The tray is ready to welcome the guests.
Mrs. Nala assigned each servant a section of tables to monitor, then asked us to stay against the wall near our respective areas. The space quickly began to fill with guests, all dressed in their finest attire.
The last arrivals were our allies, the Blue Moon pack, coming from the west. Their alpha entered with his daughter, Tisha Will. She was remarkably beautiful, with long blond hair, tanned skin, and sparkling hazel eyes. Everything about her evoked perfection.
Next came Romain Beaumatin, the gamma of our pack, holding hands with his partner, April. Romain, in his twenties, sported black hair streaked with gray. Despite his short stature, he was known for his intelligence and strength within the group.
The beta, Maxime Barth, then made his appearance. Tall, with blond hair and green eyes, he was very popular with the ladies. Although sometimes seen as a womanizer, he remained the second strongest wolf in the pack.
Finally, the alpha Tayler Forn Gillias arrived. Impressive and charismatic, with tousled black hair and sparkling blue eyes, he commanded respect. His bulging muscles added to his imposing presence. However, his closed face and dominant aura could intimidate those around him.
When the alpha took his seat, all the other guests followed suit, marking the beginning of the festivities.
The evening progressed quickly. Absorbed in my tasks, I lost track of time. "Amber, Mrs. Nala needs you in the kitchen," one of my colleagues informed me. "I'll be there in a minute," I replied, picking up empty plates and refilling champagne glasses.
Upon entering the kitchen, I was greeted by a shower of confetti and shouts of "Happy Birthday, Amber!" A beautiful cake with eighteen candles awaited me. "You shouldn't have, that's really kind!" I said, moved. "It's not every day you turn eighteen," joked a cook. "Soon, you'll hear your wolf. Then you can transform and... find your mate!" added Mrs. Kish, laughing.
After enjoying a piece of cake, we returned to work. Suddenly, an unusual voice echoed in my head: "Hello, Amber," subtle yet perfectly distinct.
It was my wolf. She had finally awakened.
"Hello?" I replied mentally.
She laughed softly and surfaced. Her fur was pure white, and her eyes had a reddish-purple hue.
"Pleased to meet you. My name is Ambre, I am your wolf," she declared, sitting down and staring at me.
"The pleasure is mine, Ambre," I replied. "I hope we can get along well..."
My sentence was interrupted by an exquisite aroma that filled my nostrils. This scent was a captivating blend of maritime pine, almonds, and amber. It was intoxicating, almost as if drawing me toward its source. Ambre sensed it too. She raised her snout to sniff, then spoke words that sent shivers through me.
"Our mate is here. I can feel him."